Cataloging Books on Tape (BOT)

Books on tape, or recorded books, are fully cataloged and classed in LC. The holding library is uav,bot, regardless of format, (audiocassettes or compact discs) we still refer to them as them BOTs.

Description is according to AACR2 chapter 6. The chief source is the cassette label, not the container, unless so noted. Watch for the word "by" preceding the author's name, which is often present on the cassette label, but not on the container. Check those subtitles too!

Main entry and subject access is the same as that of the book.

Be sure there is an added entry for the performer/reader, the person who recorded the book.

Verify edition statements, e.g., Library ed. Remove the edition statement, if it doesn't appear anywhere on the publication. By convention, "Unabridged" is put in a 500 note, unless it actually appears as an edition statement. We have been highlighting it as the first note.

Add notes, if needed:

500    Unabridged.
511 0 Read/performed/narrated, etc. by (name of the person)
500    In container(s)
500    Compact discs. (if they are CDs)

Delete subject headings that are really form headings, such as: Recorded books, Audiocassettes, etc.

The call number for the BOT would be the same as that of the book, except for the publication date. If the book and recorded book came out in the same year, add the letter "b" to the date of the BOT, even if we do not have the book in our collection.

Don't class flimsy cardboard containers in LC, only the sturdy containers, like Recorded Books Inc., when in doubt ask the Sound & Image Librarian. The flimsy ones, which are typically self-help, etc., and gifts, not purchased, will be assigned 099 BOT call numbers by Sound & Image staff.

If a BOT is on multiple cassettes or multiple discs, count them on your statistics sheet as 1 title and X volumes-depending on the number of cassettes or discs.

See ACB3018 and ABQ3622, The hunt for Red October, to compare the cataloging for the book with the cataloging for the recorded book.